Neck for turbine ventilator

ABSTRACT

A typical turbine roof ventilator includes a turbine hood having a closed end, a ring spaced from the closed end and a series of spaced blades extending from the ring to the closed end. A novel sleeve assembly is disclosed including a first sleeve portion having a first open end and a second open end and a second sleeve portion defining a third and a fourth open end. The third end of the second sleeve portion is partly located inside the second end of the first sleeve. The second sleeve is hinged to the first sleeve portion about a pivot axis. The outside diameter of first sleeve portion is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the second sleeve portion. Both sleeves are at least part spherical such that the second and first sleeve portions can be relatively freely rotated relative to each other about the pivot axis so that the relative angle between planes defined by the first end of the first sleeve axis and the fourth end of the second sleeve may be adjusted. Typically, the first end of the first sleeve and the forth end of the second sleeve are generally annular.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a roof ventilator, and in particular toa type of roof ventilator known as a turbine roof ventilator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During the summer, in hot countries such as Australia, largeamounts of heat from the sun's rays enter houses through their roof topsand heat up the attic space or roof chamber beneath the roof of thehouse. In some cases the temperature in the roof chamber can rise to upto 70° C. and the temperature inside the house will consequentlyincrease. To address this problem, it is known to install turbine roofventilators to extract air from roof chambers which work on the wellknown principle that hot air rises, and which allow hotter air to escapefrom the roof chamber before the temperature of the air in the roofchamber rises excessively. During the winter, roof ventilators also helpkeep houses dry, remove shower and kitchen steam, keep insulation dryand thus help prevent mould and mildew growth.

[0003] Turbine roof ventilators comprise a sleeve on the top end ofwhich is mounted a rotatable turbine hood. The turbine hood includes aclosed circular, usually convex upper end which prevents ingress of raininto the sleeve and thus into the roof chamber, a lower ring and aseries of arcuate turbine blades extending from the lower ring to theupper end through which hot air flows. The turbine blades can rotateeither due to winds or breezes, or due to the flow of air from out underthe roof through the turbine. FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawingsillustrates a prior art turbine hood.

[0004] The base of the turbine roof ventilator is fixed to a roof at thepitch of the roof. It is therefore necessary for the sleeve on which theturbine hood is mounted to be adjustable so that it can “bend” to copewith the pitch of the roof on which the turbine hood is mounted so thatthe hood can spin about a generally vertical axis. For this reason, thesleeve is formed in two parts, the inner part defining an ellipticalridge on which the outer part of the sleeve is mounted. One sleeve canbe turned in a clockwise direction and the other in a counterclockwiseabout the central axis of the sleeve to adjust the relative orientationof the circular openings at the ends the sleeve assembly to take accountof roof pitches to ensure that the axis of the turbine hood is generallyvertical when fitted. Although existing adjustable sleeves worksatisfactorily, they are quite awkward and time consuming to adjust.Typically the adjustment has to be carried out while the installer is ona roof which is not safe.

[0005] Accordingly it is one object of the present invention to providean improved sleeve for a turbine ventilator which is easier to adjust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided asleeve assembly for a turbine roof ventilator comprising:

[0007] a first sleeve portion having a first open end and a second openend and defining a central axis passing through the centre of the sleevefrom the first end of the sleeve to the second end; and

[0008] a second sleeve portion defining a third and a fourth open endand defining a second central axis; wherein

[0009] in use, the third end of the second sleeve portion is at leastpartly located inside the second end of the first sleeve, the firstsleeve being hinged to the second sleeve portion about a pivot axiswhich is located at or near the intersection of the first and secondcentral axes and which is generally perpendicular to said central axes,the outside diameter of said second sleeve portion being smaller than,or an interference fit with, the inside diameter of the first sleeveportion and both sleeves being at least part spherical such that thesecond and first sleeve portions can be relatively freely rotatedrelative to each other about the pivot axis so that the relative anglebetween planes defined by the first end of the first sleeve axis and thefourth end of the second sleeve may be adjusted.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment a central portion of both the first andsecond sleeve portions are part spherical and the first end of the firstsleeve and the forth end of the second sleeve are generally annular.

[0011] Typically the sleeve assembly will be moulded in a plasticsmaterial, most typically a polypropylene.

[0012] Thus the second and first sleeve portions can be rotated relativeto each other about the pivot axis so that the angle between the planesdefined by the first or open end of the first sleeve axis (the base ofthe sleeve assembly) and the fourth or open end of the second sleeve(the top of the sleeve assembly) can be adjusted to cope with roofs ofdifferent pitches. Typically, the angle may be adjusted between 0° inwhich the planes are parallel and around 32°. The adjustment is mucheasier to make than with existing sleeve assemblies.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the base of the second or outer sleevedefines one or more depressions. The depressions mark the positions inwhich a screw can be inserted through the second sleeve portion into thefirst sleeve portion to fix the two portions together relative to oneanother.

[0014] It is preferred that markings are moulded on the exterior of thesleeve assembly which are indicative of the relative orientation of thebase and top of the sleeve assembly, so that the sleeve can be adjustedand fixed at the correct relative orientation of the base and top on theground prior to installation of the sleeve on the roof for houses whoseroof pitch is known.

[0015] Typically, the sleeve will mark the angles of the popular roofpitches. The markings can either be ridges or indentations formed duringthe moulding process or may be printed or otherwise marked on the sleeveafter the sleeve has been moulded.

[0016] The hinges may be formed by a part spherical bulge on the firstsleeve located inside a mating depression formed by a slightly largerpart spherical bulge on the second sleeve. The sleeves may snap-fittogether. A depression located in the centre of each bulge is providedfor receiving a screw for fixing the first and second sleeves togetherthus allowing relative rotation about the hinge.

[0017] In a related aspect the invention provides a ventilator includinga turbine hood having a closed end, a lower portion spaced from theclosed end and a series of blades extending from the ring to the closedend, gaps being defined between adjacent blades, and a sleeve assemblyfor a turbine roof ventilator comprising:

[0018] a first sleeve portion having a first open end and a second openend and defining a central axis passing through the centre of the sleevefrom the first end of the sleeve to the second end; and

[0019] a second sleeve portion defining a third and a fourth open endand defining a second central axis; wherein

[0020] in use, the third end of the second sleeve portion is at leastpartly located inside the second end of the first sleeve, the firstsleeve being hinged to the second sleeve portion about a pivot axiswhich is located at or near the intersection of the first and secondcentral axes and which is generally perpendicular to said central axes,the outside diameter of second sleeve portion being smaller than, or aninterference fit with, the inside diameter of the first sleeve portionand both sleeves being at least part spherical such that the second andfirst sleeve portions can be relatively freely rotated relative to eachother about the pivot axis so that the relative angle between planesdefined by the first end of the first sleeve axis and the fourth end ofthe second sleeve may be adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a sleeve for a turbine roofventilator in one orientation;

[0023]FIGS. 2 and 3 are similar views showing the sleeve in differentorientations;

[0024]FIG. 3a shows a detail of part of a hinge for the sleeve;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sleeve shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and3; and

[0026]FIG. 5 is a section through a turbine roof ventilator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 5 shows a turbine roof ventilator1 including a hood or cowling having a closed upper end in the form of aroof 2, a lower portion in the form of a ring 4 and a series of blades 6extending between the lower ring and the roof defining gapstherebetween. The hood is located on top of a sleeve 8 and turns on ashaft 10. This Figure is provided to illustrate a turbine roofventilator and does not incorporate the sleeve of the present invention,however the sleeve shown in the Figure could be replaced by the sleeveshown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0028]FIG. 1 shows a sleeve 10 or neck for a turbine roof ventilatorcomprising a first or outer sleeve portion 12 and a second or innersleeve portion 14.

[0029] As can be seen, the main body portion of the outer sleeve 12 isslightly wider than the outside diameter of the main body portion of theinner sleeve 12. This enables the outer sleeve 14 to pass over the innersleeve 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and also as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and4.

[0030] The inner sleeve portion has a first open end 14 a and a secondopen end 14 b and defines a central axis A passing through the centre ofthe sleeve from the first end 14 a to the second end 14 b. The outersleeve portion 12 also has first and second open ends 12 a and 12 b anddefines a central axis B passing through the centre of the sleeve.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3a, the inner 12 and outer 14 sleeves arehingedly mounted together about a hinge defining a pivot axis C which islocated at the intersection of axes A and B and which is perpendicularto those axes.

[0032] The central portion of each sleeve 12, 14 is part spherical asbest seen in FIG. 4. The radius R of the spherical parts is the distanceR of the sleeve to the pivot C. The top 40 of the first sleeve and thebase 30 of the second sleeve are generally cylindrical having an annularcross-section. This allows the sleeves to rotate relative to each otherrelatively freely and without allowing too much air leakage between thesleeve portions although some leakage is permissible.

[0033] In the described embodiment the hinge is formed by a partspherical bulge 20 on the inner sleeve snap fitting into a correspondingpart spherical recess 22 in the outer sleeve 14, which appears a bulgeon the outside of the outer sleeve 14. In the centre of the hinge, thereare two small depressions 24 and 26 which provide a location point fortwo screws to fix the inner and outer sleeves together whilst allowingthe sleeves to rotate about the axis C.

[0034] Angular alignment lines may be marked on the sleeve assembly. Forexample, in FIG. 3, line 28 is provided to mark a 32° line for roofshaving a 32° pitch. Typically, popular roof pitches will be marked onthe lower sleeve preferably in relief during the process of moulding thesleeve from a plastics material, although the alignment lines could beprinted or otherwise marked on the sleeve. The base 30 of the sleeveassembly defines an annular collar used for securing the sleeve toflashing. The top portion 40 fits to a turbine roof ventilator.

[0035] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodimentsare, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A sleeve assembly for a turbine roof ventilator comprising: a firstsleeve portion having a first open end and a second open end anddefining a central axis passing through the centre of the sleeve fromthe first end of the sleeve to the second end; and a second sleeveportion defining a third and a fourth open end and defining a secondcentral axis; wherein in use, the third end of the second sleeve portionis at least partly located inside the second end of the first sleeve,the first sleeve being hinged to the second sleeve portion about a pivotaxis which is located at or near the intersection of the first andsecond central axes and which is generally perpendicular to said centralaxes, the outside diameter of said second sleeve portion being smallerthan, or an interference fit with, the inside diameter of the firstsleeve portion and both sleeves being at least part spherical such thatthe second and first sleeve portions can be relatively freely rotatedrelative to each other about the pivot axis so that the relative anglebetween planes defined by the first end of the first sleeve axis and thefourth end of the second sleeve may be adjusted.
 2. A sleeve assembly asclaimed in claim 1 wherein a central portion of both the first andsecond sleeve portions are part spherical and wherein the first end ofthe first sleeve and the fourth end of the second sleeve are generallyannular.
 3. A sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the firstand second sleeve portions are configured such that the relative angledefined between the planes defined by the first end of the first sleeveand the fourth end of the second sleeve may be adjusted between 0°wherein the planes are parallel, and about 32°.
 4. A sleeve assembly asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first sleeve defines one or moredepressions located near its second end for receiving screws for fixingthe two sleeve portions together relative to one another.
 5. A sleeveassembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein markings are moulded, printed orotherwise marked on the exterior of the sleeve assembly which areindicative of the relative orientation of the sleeves in the assembly.6. A sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a hinge is defined bya part spherical bulge on the second sleeve located inside a matingdepression formed by a relatively larger part spherical bulge on thefirst sleeve.
 7. A sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein thefirst and second sleeves are joined in a snap-fit.
 8. A sleeve assemblyas claimed in claim 7 wherein a depression is located in the centre ofeach bulge for receiving a screw for pivotally mounting the first andsecond sleeves together.
 9. A sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 1wherein the sleeve is moulded in a plastics material.
 10. A ventilatorincluding a turbine hood having a closed end, a lower portion spacedfrom the closed end and a series of blades extending from the ring tothe closed end, gaps being defined between adjacent blades, and a sleeveassembly for a turbine roof ventilator comprising: a first sleeveportion having a first open end and a second open end and defining acentral axis passing through the centre of the sleeve from the first endof the sleeve to the second end; and a second sleeve portion defining athird and a fourth open end and defining a second central axis; whereinin use, the third end of the second sleeve portion is at least partlylocated inside the second end of the first sleeve, the first sleevebeing hinged to the second sleeve portion about a pivot axis which islocated at or near the intersection of the first and second central axesand which is generally perpendicular to said central axes, the outsidediameter of second sleeve portion being smaller than, or an interferencefit with, the inside diameter of the first sleeve portion and bothsleeves being at least part spherical such that the second and firstsleeve portions can be relatively freely rotated relative to each otherabout the pivot axis so that the relative angle between planes definedby the first end of the first sleeve axis and the fourth end of thesecond sleeve may be adjusted.
 11. A ventilator as claimed in claim 10wherein a central portion of both the first and second sleeve portionsare part spherical and wherein the first end of the first sleeve and thefourth end of the second sleeve are generally annular.
 12. A ventilatoras claimed in claim 11 wherein the first and second sleeve portions areconfigured such that the relative angle defined between the planesdefined by the first end of the first sleeve and the fourth end of thesecond sleeve may be adjusted between 0° wherein the planes areparallel, and about 32°.
 13. A ventilator as claimed in claim 11 orclaim 12 wherein the first sleeve defines one or more depressionslocated near its second end for receiving screws for fixing the twosleeve portions together relative to one another.
 14. A ventilator asclaimed in claim 11 wherein markings are moulded, printed or otherwisemarked on the exterior of the sleeve assembly which are indicative ofthe relative orientation of the sleeves assembly.
 15. A ventilator asclaimed in claim 11 wherein the a hinge is defined by a part sphericalbulge on the second sleeve located inside a mating depression formed bya relatively larger part spherical bulge on the first sleeve.
 16. Aventilator as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first and second sleevesare joined in a snap-fit.
 17. A ventilator as claimed in claim 16wherein a depression located in the centre of each bulge receives ascrew for pivotally mounting the first and second sleeves together. 18.A ventilator as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sleeve is moulded in aplastics material.
 19. A ventilator including a turbine hood having aclosed end, a lower portion spaced from the closed end and a series ofblades extending from the ring to the closed end, gaps being definedbetween adjacent blades, and a sleeve assembly for a turbine roofventilator comprising: a first sleeve portion having a first open endand a second open end and defining a central axis passing through thecentre of the sleeve from the first end of the sleeve to the second end;and a second sleeve portion defining a third and a fourth open end anddefining a second central axis; wherein in use, the third end of thesecond sleeve portion is at least partly located inside the second endof the first sleeve, the first sleeve being pivoted to the second sleeveportion about a hinge defining a pivot axis which is located at or nearthe intersection of the first and second central axes and which isgenerally perpendicular to said central axes, the outside diameter ofthe second sleeve portion being smaller than, or an interference fitwith, the inside diameter of the first sleeve portion and wherein acentral portion of both the first and second sleeve portions are partspherical such that the second and first sleeve portions can berelatively freely rotated relative to each other about the pivot axis sothat the relative angle between planes defined by the first end of thefirst sleeve axis and the fourth end of the second sleeve may beadjusted and wherein the first end of the first sleeve and the fourthend of the second sleeve are generally annular.
 20. A ventilator asclaimed in claim 19 wherein the a hinge is defined by a part sphericalbulge on the second sleeve located inside a mating depression formed bya relatively larger part spherical bulge on the first sleeve bothsleeves being moulded in a plastics material.